SLEEP DEPRIVATION SYMPTOMS

There are a number of sleep deprivation symptoms that can help to determine if you are one of the many millions who suffer from deprivation of sleep. As crucial to our overall health and well being as exercise and proper nutrition are, the importance of sleep is often overlooked. A good sleep ensures that we are able to go through our day with a clear mind, with good energy and with the capacity to carry out our tasks.

One symptom of sleep deprivation is insomnia. Insomnia is a sleeping disorder that results in difficulty falling or staying asleep. Insomnia may be a result of inadequate quality or quantity of sleep. It can result in daytime fatigue or waking up earlier than usual. The environment in which you sleep can have a great affect on how well you do sleep or how poorly you sleep and can be a cause of insomnia. Distractions in your sleeping environment can affect your sleep as can noise. Extreme temperatures and a poorly ventilated room can also affect your sleep as can a mattress that is too soft or too hard. Insomnia can result from stress, anxiety, consumption of caffeine, overeating, and normal ageing. Lack of exercise can contribute to the insomnia sleep problem as well.

Another sleep deprivation symptom is narcolepsy, which is characterized by excessive sleepiness that can be alleviated by naps during the day. Sleep paralysis and dreaming during naps are also signs of the sleep disorder, narcolepsy.

Daytime sleepiness can also result due to deprivation of sleep. This is most often a result of sleep apnea, another symptom associated with the deprivation of sleep. Sleep apnea occurs when breathing is disrupted during sleep. If left untreated, sleep apnia can result in hypertension, stroke or heart failure. People over 40, overweight and men are at a greater risk of experiencing a sleep apnea problem. Fatigue and sleepiness are common daytime symptoms. Snoring and gasping sounds when sleeping, as well as restless sleep and morning headaches can also be symptoms of sleep deprivation associated with sleep apnea.

Restless leg syndrome is yet another symptom of sleep deprivation. The urge to move the legs in the middle of the night, after waking, shortly after getting into bed, or even while wide awake are possible signs of restless leg syndrome. Other warning signs can include kicking or twitching leg movements during sleep and possibly when awake.

Other sleep deprivation symptoms include drowsiness and clumsiness. Drowsiness can be defined as a very sleepy state. It is a temporary state that continues for a limited time. Lack of sleep, shift work, jet lag, and boredom all contribute to drowsiness. Clumsy motions or poor coordination are also symptoms of sleep deprivation. Loss and or impaired coordination can result from lack of sleep. If one is sleep deprived over time these symptoms can become more pronounced.

If you have trouble sleeping or find yourself fatigued or drowsy during the day, you may be experiencing one of the symptoms of sleep deprivation. Millions of people suffer from sleep disorders, which can have a direct affect on their health. Consulting a medical professional concerning your sleep deprivation symptoms will give you peace of mind.